As winter's cold winds fade into memory, we're all eager to get outside and enjoy warmer weather. But if poor lighting means your outdoor activities end when the sun goes down, it may be time to brighten up.

(ARA) - As winter's cold winds fade into memory, we're all eager to get outside and enjoy warmer weather. But if poor lighting means your outdoor activities end when the sun goes down, it may be time to brighten up.

From the front door to the backyard deck, lighting plays an important role in the beauty, usability and safety of your outdoor living space. Small changes in lighting can have a big impact on your home's curb appeal and your ability to enjoy outdoor living.

Daniel Auer, a lighting expert with LightingShowplace.com, offers a few tips on how to improve your outdoor living spaces with lighting.

One of the biggest trends of the past few years has been the addition of "outdoor rooms." Whether they take the form of a gazebo, a screened-in deck or deluxe patio space, people have made the move to spend more time in their outdoor home environments.

Naturally, the bigger demand for these spaces has led to a need for improved functionality and amenities. One of the most important aspects of creating an enjoyable outdoor room is lighting it. No one wants their garden dinner party to stop once dusk settles in, so homeowners are seeking out new, multi-tasking options.

For covered outdoor rooms, ceiling fans are a great way to add multiple layers of lighting - not to mention comfort. Any fan that you love indoors can easily be used outdoors with the proper wiring. What's more, most fans offer dimmer options so you can adjust light levels to match the mood of your gathering. Fans with blades that evoke the look of leaves or fern fronds are particularly attractive in outdoor settings, helping underscore the natural appeal of the space.

If you're having an evening get-together, your outdoor lighting should guide your guests. "Nighttime visitors should feel welcomed with light as soon as their car stops in front of your house," Auer says. That means driveways and walkways leading to your door or to your backyard spaces should be well-lit to ensure safe footing.

In backyards, consider using more delicate path lights to highlight areas like water features and seating arrangements. While you want to highlight your guests' view of your yard, you also want to illuminate spaces like decks and patios. "There are numerous ways to light your deck, from lanterns that sit on the post caps of your deck rails to outdoor lamps that work with your outdoor furniture much as lamps do indoors," Auer says.

Even if you are throwing a party in your outdoor spaces, your guests will inevitably come inside, too. It's a good idea to make sure that paths and any steps are well highlighted, to prevent trips and falls, and so that guests don't feel lost in the dark. Highlight entryways and doors with decorative sconces or fashionable chandeliers that emit a welcoming glow.

When you're ready to start illuminating your outdoor rooms, garden or pathways, consider an online resource like LightingShowplace.com, rather than a big box home improvement store. With a few mouse clicks, you can instantly assess what's available from thousands of choices, and access customer service personnel who are trained to answer questions about the brands and products offered.

Courtesy of ARAcontent